Expressing "when" with "de shihou"

In English, if we are reflecting on a past time, we often say, "when I was a child" or "when I was in school." In Chinese, this can also be expressed by using 的时候 (de shíhou).


Structure

To talk about events that happened at or during a particular time, 的时候 (de shíhou) is often used. This is simply attached to the word or phrase indicating the time:

(Subj.) + Verb / Adj. + 的 时候, Subj. + Verb + Obj.

As time words can appear before or after the subject, you can also place the Time + 的时候 (de shíhou) after the subject.

Examples

  • 你 不 的时候 , 我 会 想 你。 bù zài de shíhou, wǒ huì xiǎng nǐ. When you are here, I'll miss you.
  • 上 大学 的时候 常常 出去 玩 。 shàng dàxué de shíhou chángcháng chūqù wán. When I was in college, I would often go out and have fun.
  • 工作 的时候 , 喜欢 喝 咖啡 。 gōngzuò de shíhou, xǐhuan hē kāfēi. When I work, I like to drink coffee.
  • 跟 朋友 一起 的时候 , 喜欢 喝 啤酒 。 gēn péngyou yīqǐ de shíhou, xǐhuan hē píjiǔ. When I'm with friends, I like to drink beer.
  • 休息 的时候 , 我 喜欢 听 音乐 。 Xiūxi de shíhou, wǒ xǐhuan tīng yīnyuè. When resting, I like to listen to music.
  • 的时候 , 我 不 喜欢 吃 肉 。 Xiǎo de shíhou, wǒ bù xǐhuan chī ròu. When I was little, I didn't like to eat meat.
  • 很 多 人 喜欢 在 洗澡 的时候 唱歌 。 Hěn duō rén xǐhuan zài xǐzǎo de shíhou chànggē. When showering, many people like to sing.
  • 你 不要 在 我 生气 的时候 笑 。 Nǐ bùyào zài wǒ shēngqì de shíhou xiào. Don't laugh when I'm angry.
  • 请 不要 在 上 厕所 的时候 打 电话 。 Qǐng bùyào zài shàng cèsuǒ de shíhou dǎ diànhuà. While using the restroom, please don't make phone calls.
  • 你 喜欢 在 看 电影 的时候 吃 东西 吗 ? Nǐ xǐhuan zài kàn diànyǐng de shíhou chī dōngxī ma? Do you like eating things while watching the movie?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books